6 Games Like Journey [Recommendations]

INTRODUCTION / OPENING PARAGRAPH

Most video games adhere to their genres tightly. The reason for this execution of style is to ensure that the game is loved by the majority who play and to avoid any possible failure in terms of gameplay or sales. However, every so often, several gaming titles appear that revolutionize the world of video games. Case in point, the game we’re focusing on today is Journey, a game that isn’t like most. Journey requires less action or simple concepts of getting from point A to point B. The world of Journey is as vast as its endless desert in game and the beauty of such a design allows a whole new venue of storytelling that we so rarely see. That’s why we at Honey’s Anime bring to you dear readers our list of 6 games like Journey.

First thing we must do for our list of 6 games like Journey is ask: what makes Journey such an amazing title? The answer is simple, an amazing story, a unique way of gameplay, awesome graphics and the feeling that once the game is over you’re left with this truly satisfied feeling in your heart. That being said, we at Honey’s Anime have conquered our childhood fears and stared into worldly beauties to find several video games that mirror the greatness of Journey. Some of these games require simple button presses and others barely anything, but once you see the credits roll you sit back and are just in utter awe. We know you’re probably now extremely excited, thus we won’t make you wait a second longer. Journey with us into our list and be ready to venture into some truly unique gaming titles.

Similar Games to Journey

1. ABZU

While the desert may seem endless and wide, in comparison some may say the ocean offers a truly endless world. A Diver awakens floating on the ocean’s surface. Diving into the ocean, the Diver begins to explore the aquatic world. What awaits the Diver is a world that seems both beautiful and full of life in the form of aquatic fish and plants alike. Though a Great White Shark seems to wish for the Diver to follow it, for what reason the Diver will soon learn. What awaits the Diver is a story of intrigue and pure bliss in a world that is rarely touched by human kind. Welcome to Giant Squid Studios title, ABZU.

Journey’s main theme was the almost endless and vast desert, filled with mystery and pure beauty. ABZU in many way stands as the opposite to Journey allowing players to explore a beautifully crafted ocean world. Players control the nameless Diver as they try to discover the secrets that the ocean holds. Players will witness a truly colorful world where gameplay is simple and screams exploration. ABZU is a title that needs to be played especially if this is as close as you can get to the wonders of the ocean.

ABZU- E3 2016 Launch Trailer | PS4 (Official Trailer)

2. Firewatch

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Henry has grown tired of his life, he wishes for a change and he decides one day to go forth and make that change a reality. Taking on the role of a Fire Lookout, Henry is now responsible for keeping the beautifully green forest safe from the dangers of the fire. However, while Henry may have run to a world where only his supervisor, a woman by the name of Delilah, can contact him, it doesn’t mean Henry’s past is done with him. What makes matters worse is this particular summer seems like a nightmare to Delilah and when an incident causes Henry to explore the forest for more detail, he will come to terms with his past as well as the present. Henry will have to choose wisely his actions, as the world of Firewatch won’t hold his hand.

Firewatch asks the player to truly explore not just a wide and vast forest, but their inner minds and heart. Journey is an experience that makes the player wonder, and in many ways Firewatch will do the same as Henry’s past is shown and his action change the course of the game’s narrative. Players will enjoy gorgeous graphics and a story that truly can hit on a personal level for some. Gameplay wise, Firewatch offers plenty of puzzles and first person exploration as you walk around the seemingly gigantic forest. With multiple endings based on player input and plenty to explore, Firewatch will definitely be a game players will talk about upon their own completion.

Firewatch- September 2016 Trailer (Official Trailer)

3. Limbo

You wake up, alone and in a desolate forest. The forest seems quiet, devoid of life…at least first. As you walk forward you run into a young girl, you try to stop her but are unable to do so. As you chase after her, you begin to see this forest isn’t ordinary. All around you are questions and the only way to answer them is for you to survive.

LIMBO by Playdead studios is one of those games that we highly recommend going into with as little information as possible, just like Journey, to truly get the most out of it. What we here at Honey’s Anime will tell you, however, is what to expect once you pick up LIMBO. Players assume the role of a young child and are greeted to a muted black and white world. Set on a 2D plane, the player will have to run forward and solve puzzles as well as avoid dangers such as giant creatures and treacherous environments. LIMBO is a game that once you complete it you’ll begin to scream theories and question what the game meant to you. Trust in Honey’s Anime, we are telling you that you won’t regret a single moment of the amazing game that is LIMBO.

LIMBO Trailer | E3 2013 (Official Trailer)

Any Games Like Journey ?

4. The Stanley Parable

System/Platform: PC

Publisher: Galactic Cafe

Developer: Galactic Cafe

Release Date: Oct 17, 2013

Stanley is just your typical guy who is about to enter a world that is far from normal. While at work Stanley has an odd computer glitch and decides to seek help from someone in the office only to discover his office is devoid of anyone. Stanley now has to choose what course of action he wishes to take next. Does Stanley wish to run to the exit and just simply leave? Maybe Stanley wishes to venture into his boss’ office to learn what his boss is truly hiding from him. In the Stanley Parable while the story may focus on this ordinary man named Stanley and his not so ordinary life, you’re enviably the one who will choose Stanley’s fate.

The Stanley Parable harkens to what makes Journey so great in the sense you will never truly know what one particular course of action will lead you to. The pure beauty of Stanley Parable comes from three elements in particular. First the amount of endings you can get is amazing, players will find so many variants on endings and sometimes even choosing an ending once played can lead to an alternative ending. The second amazing concept of The Stanley Parable is the sheer comedy thanks to the final element being the Narrator. As players guide Stanley towards his odd path in life, a Narrator will always be commenting on the player and Stanley’s overall choices and sometimes lack of. Honestly, we can’t recommend The Stanley Parable enough, thanks to Galactic Café you will be dying of laughter and enjoying a truly unique title that always seems weird but interesting. All we can say is poor Stanley…

The Stanley Parable Launch Trailer (Official Trailer)

5. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

Paul Prospero enters the town of Red Creek Valley thanks in part to a letter he received from a young man named Ethan Carter. What should be just a simple meeting or at the very least peaceful visit becomes a nightmare of paranormal events and oddities. As Paul ventures around Red Creek Valley he will learn some truly troubling events that surround the residence of the valley as well as Ethan. Paul investigation abilities will be put to the test against a threat he can’t even begin to fathom. However, will Paul want to truly learn what happened here in Red Creek Valley or should he just turn around and leave now?

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is one of those games that will leave you breathless once you begin to piece together the clues from the game’s story. Players will explore the large Red Creek Valley solving puzzles and finding clues that show what happened in the story. Though we here at Honey’s Anime will admit a few times we were truly blown away by some of the surprises the game had up its sleeve. Boasting beautiful graphics and plenty of tough but fair puzzles, those who play The Vanishing of Ethan Carter will get nothing but pleasure. Journey’s story was something that once delved into led players to being mesmerized, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter will do the same trust us.

Let’s end this interesting and truly breathtaking list with a truly stunning game like Journey. Flower really has no story. Players are a gust of wind, as the player takes more petals it allows for more and more speed. Each level the player’s main goal is to restore life to the flowers and environment using their gusts like power. In Flower, your goal is simple, just be like the wind and fly forth.

Thatgamecompany is well known in the gaming community for making some truly unique games, Flower is indeed one of those. Players use the controller, or the PS Vita, to move the gust like force around to collect flower petals and revive the dead like plant lifelike. Honestly it sounds so simple that you may wonder how could this be a game or heck even be fun? That’s the beauty of games like Flower and Journey, players are not tasked with the usual do this or go here goal. Instead in games like Flower, the experience is all about taking in the beautiful graphics of the game and the amazingly soothing soundtrack. This is a game that almost anyone can play and truly find something amazing about it thanks to its simple nature. Flower is a game that we can’t stress enough to just try it and be lost in a world of simple bliss and elegance.

Flower- Official Trailer (Official Trailer)

Final Thoughts

Video games are always meant to evoke different elements from the individual player. That in lies the beautiful element of playing any particular video game. However, games like Journey show that there is so much potential in the world of games by grasping the player and showing him or her a concept not seen before or from a different angle. We hope we here at Honey’s Anime have shown you some titles maybe you haven’t touched or seen before. Let us know in the comments if you have or if you have other games you feel we could have added to this list. As always stick around for more great gaming articles such as this particular one.

Writer

Author: Aaron

Hey everyone I’m Aaron Curbelo or Blade as I’m called by my YouTube Subscribers. I’ve been an anime/manga fan since I was a young kid. In terms of anime I have watched nearly a thousand shows and have read hundreds of manga series. I love writing and honestly was so happy to join Honey’s Anime to get a shot to write articles for such a wonderful site. I’m a firm believer in respect in the anime community being the most important embodiment we should all have. We all love anime and we have varying opinions of series but we should respect one another for those differences! Life is too precious to spend it making needless arguments in a community that should be the shining example of loving an amazing medium. I hope as a writer for Honey’s Anime I can bring you folks some amazing articles to read and enjoy!